Technology

PATAGONIA

Regulator Insulation:

Breathable and compressible mid-layers for all conditions, the lofted hollow-core fibres of Regulator® insulation trap and conserve body heat while wicking moisture to the surface. The fabric is more breathable than traditional fleece of comparable weight, and has half the bulk. The result is the most efficient, agile insulation ever made for active, under-shell use.

Regulator insulation garments work as a system with Regulator soft shells and base layers. Any Regulator insulation garment may also be worn as a top layer when conditions permit.

When the weather warms, you may want to use Regulator R1 or R.5 base layers as your only insulation. Their fabric construction traps body heat and wicks moisture.

Patagonia developed their Regulator insulation fabrics in a joint effort with their long-term partner, Polartec (with whom they co-developed Synchilla® fleece).

Regulator Soft Shell:

Twice as breathable, twice as compressible and half the weight. Regulator soft shells work in concert with other Regulator base and insulation layers to keep you dry and comfortable, even when you're moving fast. Because a soft shell is continually self-drying and far more breathable than a hard shell, you don't have to adjust layers frequently to maintain comfort.

Soft shells are also lighter, more compressible and more agile than traditional shells. And because no component of the Regulator System can absorb moisture, you stay dry in all but a sustained downpour.

Each soft shell starts with a durable, tightly woven (often stretchy) shell fabric in a highly breathable single layer that requires no barrier or tricot lining. As a result, the Regulator System as a whole is two times more breathable than traditional hard-shell layering.

To protect you from the elements the shell's surface blocks wind and repels water, either through fibre encapsulation or a combination of tight fabric construction and a durable water-repellent (DWR) finish.

Regulator Base Layer:

Comfort from the skin out. Because all Regulator garments move moisture from the skin out to the surface, the base layer is the heart of the system - where Regulator's work begins. In the base layer fabrics, against-the-skin fibres in an open, velour fleece knit wick moisture and minimise weight. Lofted, directional 'pillars' trap body heat and pull moisture up to the smooth jersey-knit surface, where it spreads out and quickly evaporates.

Regulator base layer garments may be worn alone or under Regulator insulation and/or soft shells, depending on conditions.

Composite Seam System

Patagonia presents its solution to the next great challenge in shell design: stitch-free seams. Their Composite Seam System™ technology is used in many shells, both hard and soft. This technology not only reduces bulk, weight and materials, it improves performance by eliminating seam-tape and thread crown abrasion and the needle hole, a potential area for saturation in hard shells and leakage in soft shells.

For soft shells, Patagonia's new Composite Seam System™ technology uses an incredibly strong adhesive to create a threadless seam. This narrow seam reduces fabric bulk and creates a softer join than is possible with a traditional overlock stitch. It also creates a beautiful, cleanly finished interior. This technology improves durability by eliminating the abrasion-vulnerable thread crown. And the absence of needle holes keeps the seams equally water-resistant as the fabric itself.
Example: White Smoke Jacket

For hard shells, Patagonia's new Composite Seam System™ incorporates closely butted seams, sonically welded so precisely they can use much lighter, softer and narrower reinforcement tape. Moreover, this technology improves durability by eliminating abrasion-vulnerable thread crowns and leak-prone needle holes. The result: Composite Seam System™ hard shells are more compressible, much suppler and 27% lighter than those with conventionally sewn seams.
Example: Chute To Thrill Jacket

Storm shells - Bombproof Protection:

Hard shells for full-on conditions, Patagonia's Storm hard shells employ a waterproof/breathable barrier to provide complete protection for climbing in full conditions or sustained rainfall. Utilising their own H2No HB waterproof/breathable barrier, as well as Gore-Tex fabrics, Patagonia has designed a collection of hard shells for various needs and with variety of features. Each Storm hard shell is durable and stormproof, yet as light, supple and breathable as can be for its intended conditions.

2.5-Layer H2No HB (Highly Breathable) Fabric

An innovative 2.5-layer fabric technology: lightweight, ripstop nylon bonded to Patagonia's H2No HB coating, and backed with a thin, strong polymer matrix pattern instead of a liner. The result is lightweight, more compressible and has a softer hand than traditional 3-layer fabrics. The texture created by the interior matrix pattern channels moisture away from the skin, protects the storm barrier from abrasion and slides easily over layers or bare skin.

Capilene

New Capilene baselayers still feature a moisture-wicking polyester fabric that dries quickly. Now Capilene polyester is also recycled, recyclable and features Gladiodor™ natural odour control.

Capilene performance characteristics:

  • Quick to wick, quick to dry
  • Designed for fast-forward, aerobic activities
  • Now with Gladiodor™ natural odour control
  • Made with recycled polyester (50% recycled content or more)
  • 100% recyclable
  • Machine washable

Patagonia offers four Capilene fabrics:

  • Capilene 1 is the silkiest and can be worn alone or as a baselayer
  • Capilene 2 is a great weight for aerobic use in mild to cool conditions
  • Capilene 3 is a versatile, do it all baselayer for active use in cool to cold conditions
  • Capilene 4 is Patagonia's warmest Capilene fabric. It features an inside-facing grid pattern that disperses moisture, aids compressibility and retains warmth in cold conditions

Recycling

Capilene Baselayers are now made with more than 50% recycled polyester, derived in roughly equal measures from plastic bottles and fabric scraps. They are also 100% recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Programme - when your old Capilene baselayers finally wear out, send them back to Patagonia and they'll recycle them into new polyester garments.

Research shows that the environmental impact of recycling worn-out Capilene base layers into one new polyester fibre is significantly lower than making that same fibre from virgin materials. Taking into account that worn-out garments are diverted from incinerators, making new polyester fibre from recycled garments results in energy savings of 76% and a CO2 emissions [greenhouse gasses] reduction of 71%, versus creating that fibre from new raw material.

Here's how the process works:

  • Collected garments are cut into small pieces. Zips and buttons are separated from the fabric.
  • The fabric is granulated and formed into small pellets.
  • The pellets are broken down to the molecular level and purified to produce the raw material for polyester.
  • The raw material is polymerised and turned into polyester chips.
  • The chips are melted and spun into new filament fibre.
  • The fibre is used to make new polyester fabric.


Recycling old Patagonia base layers is easy. Simply wash it first and use one of the following collection methods:

Mail it to the Patagonia Service Center at:
Capilene Patagonia Service Center C/O CEPL BEVILLE
Attention: Common Threads Recycling Program
7 avenue Gustave Eiffel, 28630 Gellainville, France

Or: mail it to the Patagonia retail store nearest you.

Or: drop it off at your local Patagonia retail store - ideally, while you're running other errands, to reduce environmental impact.

Gladiodor™ Natural Odor Control

Patagonia reduces the funk factor in Capilene polyester by using a naturally derived odour control that is both durable and easy on the planet. Other companies use silver ions (heavy metals that pollute) to kill the bacteria that causes odour in their clothing.

  • Heavy metals are a major groundwater pollutant
  • Heavy metals are not safe for human ingestion
  • Bacteria can build resistance to silver

These risks were unacceptable to Patagonia, so they developed a safe, non-polluting alternative:

  • Gladiodor natural odour control comprises naturally derived amino acid chains
  • Gladiodor technology kills odour-causing bacteria
  • Gladiodor technology is non-polluting and safe for humans
  • Gladiodor natural odour control is durable


THE NORTH FACE


Core Vents

Unlike traditional pit zips, core vents allow body heat to dissipate from where it originates - your body's core, or upper torso - dramatically increasing ventilation to keep you cooler. Combine this technology with rear arm exhaust vents and you have the most comfortable jacket available. Located around the chest area, these zippered openings enable you to regulate your temperature - research has proven that vents placed in the upper chest area are the most effective at dissipating heat when you're active.

Summit Series

Summit Series products are developed for the most serious athletes. Summit Series™ products feature athlete-tested and technically-advanced apparel and equipment. This premier collection is designed for expedition use from base camp to summit, where the extremes of weather, terrain and temperature demand the highest level of performance.

Flight Series

Answering the rising demand for fast and light gear, The North Face set out to make the most adaptable, packable and lightweight gear for their new Flight Series™. Developed for multi-sport athletes, the Flight Series™ features ultra light, multi-purpose apparel, equipment and footwear. This athlete-tested performance collection is designed for done-in-a-day and weekend adventures when fast and light packing is paramount.

Infusion technology

Infusion is The North Face's proprietary infused polymer construction process. It reinforces the fabric of their outerwear garments in the places where they take the most abuse - zipper and pocket flaps, and other high-abrasion areas. This remarkable blend of polymers penetrates deep into the inner fibres and surrounds them to form a permanent bond. This tough, resilient matrix ensures a highly wear-resistant surface while allowing the fabric to remain lightweight and flexible.

The infused polymer process eliminates the need for heavier-weight abrasion overlays, tapes and bindings, and adds increased strength to the most crucial spots on the garment, which dramatically extends its life. This construction technique extends the 'fray-resistance' life of modern seam edges by more than ten times over simple edges.

HyVent fabric

With HyVent™ technology, The North Face can now deliver the best waterproof/breathable technology for people who don't want to pay a premium cost.

They incorporated this technology by using a polyurethane (PU) coating that consists of a tri-component multi-layer formula for waterproof protection, moisture permeability, and durability. This technology was lab tested in The North Face quality assurance lab to ensure the best possible durability and function. The average breathability achieved using HyVent™ is 650g/m2/24 hours on the Moisture Vapor Transfer Rate (MVTR) scale. To test the level of waterproofness they subjected HyVent™ garments to 20 wash cycles where on average they retained over 60 PSI on the waterproofing tests.

The final stamp of approval comes from the field, the only place to get an honest evaluation of what lab-tested technology can really do. "This technology keeps me out in the storms catching the best snow long after most people have gone inside," says skier and mountaineer, Rick Armstrong. "It's just as good-if not better-than anything else on the market." HyVent™ garments have been heavily field tested for over three years with outstanding proof of long-term performance. The North Face guarantees you cannot find a more waterproof/breathable technology anywhere for this price.

Stretch Enhancement

The North Face® applied stretch enhancements to increase freedom of movement to key body locations where range of motion is critical. They studied the anatomy and physiology of a body in motion during various sport activities. In a hunched-arms-forward position the radius created across your back from wrist to wrist can increase by as much as 12 inches. Under that kind of strain the fabric deformation offered by the stretch can approach a 25% increase of the relaxed state. Fabrics are constructed with mechanical stretch, creating an enhanced elasticity for specific form and shape shifting function. These fabrics can stretch and recover up to 30% from their relaxed shape.

This revolutionary technology allows The North Face to take outerwear innovation to another level by adding superior performance features without compromising waterproof/breathability. "Basically, this material is like super high-tech skin," says Rick Armstrong, whose occupational hazards as a skier and mountaineer require his outerwear provide immense versatility and freedom of movement. "It just moves with your body."

Apex soft shell fabric

A soft shell technology breakthrough, Apex™ is a signature material, researched and developed exclusively by The North Face. Apex™ makes the fleece/shell combination possible through its proprietary blend of characteristics. Apex™ offers the dynamic duo of a tightly woven abrasion-phobic face for protection, and a soft-brushed interior for performance and comfort. Apex™ technology is built to stretch for comfort and mobility and is treated with our Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish

Apex™ features are nylon constructed and woven for stretch enhancement to achieve the balance between weather resistance and breathability. The average air permeability rating for these fabrics is below 20 CFM.

Apex™ is finished with DWR to increase water shed. DWR is laboratory tested for durability and extended wash and wear according to the standard AATCC 22 Water Repellency Spray Test. All Apex™ fabrics meet The North Face standard rating of 90 (70 after a specified number of home washings) for long-term durability.

All Apex™ garments keep you dry in a thick fog or light rain environment. Apex™ garments are built for warmth. The tightly woven fabric face creates a hard barrier to the elements of cold weather, while the soft-brushed interior allows for a soft warm-next-to-skin feel. The brushed interior also promotes a microclimate, allowing for superior moisture management and continued climate control.

Welding technology

The most innovative advancement in outerwear, the welding technology is incorporated in key areas of The North Face shell jackets and pants.

Welding on articulated hand and boot cuffs creates a sturdy structure and provides an easy grasp when fastening without adding weight.

Welded hood brims maintain a constructed shape with or without a helmet. Combined with single-hand adjustable drawcords, welding in the brim of the hood enhances the overall ergonomic properties of a hood.


BERGHAUS


BioFlex

Bioflex is the result of three years' intensive development, BioFlex™ provides a carrying harness that allows the rucksack and therefore the body to flex, twist and pivot at all times. Unlike the majority of backpacking sacs, BioFlex™ continuously works with the body.

Most backpacking packs act like a splint - they are rigid and don't allow the hips or torso to flex and bend as they should when walking or scrambling. BioFlex™ keeps in tune with the body's movements, transferring load to the hips regardless of posture and position.

Flex, Twist and Pivot

Forward Flex - the back system's lumber pad has a central pivot. It is located within a vertical chamber that allows it to glide up and down when you bend forward, lengthening with the natural extension of your spine.

Twist - a central pivot point is stabilised by a Delrin rod that runs around the rucksack's main frame to the hip fins. This allows the pack to twist and mirror the forwards and backwards movement of your body while walking and the more exaggerated twisting that occurs when looking over your shoulder, scrambling or even climbing over a stile.

The flex, twist and a pivot in the hip fins work together to ensure the pack moves in a controlled manner with your body. BioFlex™ provides optimum load transfer and keeps the pack's centre of gravity in tune with your own, resulting in reduced fatigue and the most comfortable carry you can get.


OSPREY


BioForm Custom Moulded Hipbelts

The new BioForm CM hipbelt is a revolutionary advance in the area of custom fit hipbelts. The BioForm CM hipbelt still features Osprey's ErgoPull closure that draws tension along the top and the bottom of the belt with split support wings. Additionally, the hip pads are still thermoformed for a fit that is comfortable right off the shelf. But now, they've added the benefits of in-store heat moulding to bring you the best fitting hipbelt you've ever worn.

Only certified retailers such as Countryside are authorised to custom heat mould your BioForm CM hipbelt. Packs featuring the hipbelt are the Crescent and Luna series.